Electric switch.



No. 644,745. Patented Mar. 6, I900. N. MARSHALL.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

(App! ahon filed Apr 25 1899) 2 Sheets-Sheet (No Modei.)

No. 644,745. Patented Mar. 6, I900. N. MARSHALL.

ELEGTRIGv SWITCH.

(Application filed Apr. 25. 1899.)

(No Model.)

2 Sheets$heet 2,

awxmn iiiiiiiiiiii UNITED STATES FFICE.

PATENT NORMAN MARSHALL'OF 'NEYVTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO-TIIE MARSHALL-SANDERS COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 644,745, dated March 6,1900.

7 Application filed April 25,1899. Serial No. 714,465. (No model.)

T0 at whom it may concern..-

Be it known that I, NORMAN MARSHALL, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Newton, county of Middlesex, State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Electric Snap-Switches,of which.

the following is a specification.

My invention relates 'to improvements in the actuating mechanism whereby the switch is made durable and can be constructed cheaply and to insulating the contact-carrying parts from the actuating mechanism and the method of forming said insulation, thus reducing the liability to grounding and of the operators coming in contact with the circuit. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Figures 1 to 9, inclusive, relate to that form of my invention adapted to single -circuit switches. Figs. 10 to 19 show that form of my invention adapted to control a plurality of circuits.

Similar letters refer to similar parts th roughout the several views.

Fig. 1 represents a generalplan view of the switch with the cover removed. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the same. Fig. 3 shows an inverted plan of the switch mechanism proper removed from the base and stationary contacts in which the mechanism is in its locked position. FigAis aplan of same with the catch just escaping from thelocked position. Fig.5 is the same position of the mechanism as Fig. 3 with the stop-ratchet removed. Fig; 6 is the same device in the same position as Fig. 4. with the stop-ratchet removed. Fig. 7 is a section showing the different elements of the mechanism. Figs. 8 and 9 are details showing the arrangement for insulating thecurrent-carrying plate from the switch mechanism in the single-pole switch. Fig. 10 is a plan view of that form of my invention adapted for the use of a plurality of circuits, showing the insulating-base P with four bindingposts and their corresponding stationary contacts R R R R also the operating-handle T. Fig. 11 is an elevation of the same switch, showing, further, the moving contact-plates B B. Fig. 12 shows an inverted view of the 7 switch mechanism adapted to this style of switch in its locked position. Fig. 13 shows a similar view of the same mechanism in the position in which the catch is just escaping from the stop 71 of the stop-plate. Fig. 14 is a'view similar to Fig. 13 with the stop-plate removed. Fig. 15 is a section of the operating parts and the spindle. Figs. 16 and 17 relate particularly to the method of making the insulating-block or separator which supports the connecting-platesB B B B Fig. 18 is a detail view of this supporting-insulator with the parts immediately attached to it. Fig. 19 is an elevation of the mechanism with the stationary contacts, base, and handle removed.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, P represents an insulating-base, of porcelain or other suitable material, on which are mounted two bindingposts Q Q, supporting brush contact-plates R R, the whole being properly secured to the porcelain base. The wires being connected to the binding-posts Q Q, current enters at these points and traverses the moving contact-plate B B, which is insulated, as shown by detail Figs. 8 and 9, from the cam catchplate I, to whichit is attached.

The spring S is attached to the spindle F at its upper end, being wound spirallyabout said spindle. Its end is extended out to engagethe upturned portion of the cam catch-' plate I, as shown in Fig. 2. Attached to spindle F is a crank-plate K, in the extremity of which is a stud J ,which extends through the cam-slot G G in the cam catch-plate I. Next to the cam catch-plate is the stop-plate N, which is fastened to the porcelain base and has teeth or faces 01 n n n. The spindle F extends through a slot in the cam catch-plate I and through a round hole in the stop-plate N and is held by a nut or other suitable device from moving in the direction of its axis.

Referring to that form of myinvention adapted to a switch with a plurality of circuits, Fig. 10, the wires are attached to the contact-posts in the usual manner, the current of one circuit passing'from R through the connecting-plate B B to the binding-post R, the current of the other circuit passing from the contact-post R to R through the connecting-plate 13 13 B B being on a different plane from B 13 the rotation of the moving contact plates one quarter turn throws them both out of contact with the connections R R and R R Referring to the view shown in Fig. 12, N is the stop-plate, rigidly attached to the porcelain, having faces a n n it. Next to this ratchet stop-plate is the cam catch-plate I, having the catch L extending down into the plane of the stop-plate N and having the slot 0 to allow the passage of the spindle, and cam-slot G G, into which plays the stud J.

K is the crank-plate, carrying the crankstud J. The cam catch-plate is held from all movement except a lateral one in a direction parallel to the face of the stop-plate, by which it is engaged by the carrier-plate Z, to which is attached the insulating-carrier M, which supports the moving contacts.

The operation of the device is as follows: Referring to Figs. 2, 3, ll, and 12, the catch L of the cam catch-plate I will be seen to be in engagement with the face it of the stopplate, (being forced inwardly by the action of the spring and crank-plate,) so that the mechanism is locked from turning in either direction. \Vhcn, however, the spindle F, carrying the crank-plate K, is rotated by the handle T in the direction of the arrow, as shown in Figs. 3 and 12, the stud J bears against the inner surface of the cam slot- G G and forces the catch L outward. This cam slot is so arranged that the distance from the center of the spindle, Figs. 3 and 12, to the end G of the cam-slot is shorter than the distance from the center of the spindle to the end G by a little over the depth of the faces on the stop-plate N, so that when the crank-stud J by the rotation of the handle arrives at the position G, as shown in Figs. 4 and 13, the catch L of the catch-plate will have been forced off of the face at of the stop-plate. The spring at the same time having been coiled up by the turning of the handle will exert pressure against the cam catch-plate I, causing it to rotate in the direction of the arrow in Figs. 3 and 12, carrying the insulated moving contact plate or plates out of engagement with the stationary contacts, breaking the circuit. The spindle and attached crank-plate and stud J having remained approximately stationary during the very short period of time required by the cam catch-plate to move around, the stud J will have retraced its path in the cam-slot G G and will have drawn the catch of the cam catch-plate I inwardly to its first position, as shown in Figs. 3 and 12, so that it engages the succeeding face it of the stop-plate. If the handle is further rotated, the operation is repeated, the circuit being made and broken at each alternate quarter-turn of the handle.

Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, B Bis the moving contact'plate, through which are pierced suitable holes, in which insulating-bushings A A are inserted. Eyelets H H are passed through these insulating bushings and through the hole in the catch-plate I, the edges being turned over to secure them in position. This novel construction in singlepole switches is cheap and effectively insulates all parts of the switch mechanism.

Referring to Fig. 16, M is a plain disk of fibrous heat-resistinginsulatingmaterial,commonly known as laminar or indurated fiber. This is formed into the shape shown in Fig. 17 by the use of steel dies which pierce through the opening, as shown at Y, and carry down the surface W to allow a proper opening for the moving contact-plates B B B B The moving contact-plates B B B B are held in position by insulating-washers m m and a brass disk 0, which isconnected by rivets with the carrier-plate Z. This method of completely inclosing the moving contacts except the portion which enters the brushes of the stationary contacts is novel and increases the carrying capacity of the switch by a considerable amount for the reason that the arc cannot follow along the edge of the moving contact, as in the usual construction of such de vices. This valuable construction is easily and cheaply effected by the employment of my discovery of the property of laminar fiber, which permits of its being molded with considerable square sharp-edged depressions by confining steel dies under great pressure.

lVhile the stop-plate is shown in the drawings with four notches or teeth, it may be made with two or more teeth, the cam-slot being arranged to correspond with the required turn of the operating-handle, which should always move that portion of a complete circumference corresponding with the number of teeth or faces on the stop-plate. The stop-plate may also be arranged in the same plane as the cam catch-plate, with teeth projecting inwardly, with a corresponding nose on the opposite end of the cam catch-plate, which would then move inwardly to release, or the stop-plate may be formed with ears extending up into the plane] of the inwardlyinoving cam catch-plate.

The crank-plate and stud may-be formed in various ways and shapes, as from one piece of metal with a lip turned up in place of the studs shown in the drawings.

Having indicated certain changes from the form shown in the drawings, others may readily suggest themselves which still embody the essential elements of my invention.

I claim as my invention- In an electric snap-switch, the combination with an insulating-base and ratchet-plate attached to said base and having teeth, of a handle, a spindle extending from the handle, a crank-plate K, rigidly attached to the spindle, a stud J on said plate, a cam catch-plate I having a slot G, G through which the stud J lated from but attached to the cam catchextends, a catch L formed on the cam catchplate, substantially as described. plate I and extending downward into the plane of the ratchet-plate, a spring wound about NORMAN MARSHALL 5 and having one end attached to the spindle Witnesses:

and its other end connected to move the cam H. E. RICKER,

catch-plate, and a moving contact-bar insu- A. H. SLANEY. 

